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Justice system isn't equipped to deal with mental health issues

Author
Newstalk ZB staff ,
Publish Date
Mon, 30 May 2016, 3:32PM
(iStock).
(iStock).

Justice system isn't equipped to deal with mental health issues

Author
Newstalk ZB staff ,
Publish Date
Mon, 30 May 2016, 3:32PM

The Government's being urged to raise the youth justice age, to avoid criminalising people with mental health issues.

The Dyslexia Foundation said between 60 and 90 per cent of New Zealand youth offenders have communication disabilities such as autism and epilepsy.

Trustee Guy Pope-Mayell said the justice system isn't currently equipped to deal with people with these conditions.

"Either because the young person didn't actually commit the crime but they had said that they did, or, they haven't been able to navigate the justice system so that the full facts of the situation are presented to the judge."

The Dyslexia Foundation wants more to be done to stop people with mental health issues ending up in prison.

Mr Pope-Mayell said it's true that mental health services need a boost, but that shouldn't be used as an excuse to do nothing on the justice sector issues.

"What we've got at the moment is we've got people with mental health issues arriving in the justice system and being dealt with as if they're criminals."

 

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